Closure for containers



June 12, 1951 Filed Aug. 6, 1946 Marvin R5111 E1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 12, 1951 CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Mervin Rehrer, Jenkintown, Pa., and Edgar M. Dietz, New Milford, N. J.

Application August 6, 1946, Serial No. 688,656

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in closures for the discharge necks on containers, especially, although not necessarily, of the collapsible tube type; and more particularly to a closure of this character involving a cap which is spring pressed over the open end of the container neck while in closing position, and is adapted, after being withdrawn from the closing relation to the neck against the resistance of the spring pressure, to be swung to either side of the neck to an out of the way position, and which is adapted to be swung back again to a position over the neck and thereupon released to be reseated by said spring pressure in closing relation to the container neck.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a closure of the character indicated, above which is a base or adapter which carries the spring tensioned and laterally swingable cap, and which can be mounted on the container neck in a readily removable manner so that the closure can be used on successive or difierent containers, or made integral with the container neck.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a serviceable and attractive closure of the character indicated above which can be composed of two simple and rugged parts, which can be produced and assembled ready for use, at relatively low cost, only one of which parts is movable.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a closure of the character indicated above which affords maximum accessibility to the container neck when in open position and which permits of readily cleansing both the closure and the container neck for the maintenance of sanitary conditions.

Other important objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein merely for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the cap in open, laterally displaced position.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing in transverse vertical cross section the spring tensioned cap, and the base applied to the discharge neck of a container, with the pivot shown in side elevation, and

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the assembled closure and container neck, showing the spring tensioned cap in closed position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 4 generally designates a container, such as a collapsible tube containing tooth paste or the like, having the externally threaded tubular discharge neck 5.

The closure of the present invention comprises the base 6 for application on the discharge neck 5. the spring tensioned cap I, and the rivet or other similarly suitable pivot 8 by means of which the cap is operatively mounted on and carried by the base 6.

The base 6 is a tubular substantially cylindrical body of suitable metallic or non-metallic material provided with screw threads 9 in its bore enabling said base to be threaded down around the container neck. The base 6 is shorter than the neck 5 so that the upper or outer end I!) of said neck can project beyond the upper or outer end ll of the base.

The said end ll of the base is formed with an annular concentric groove I2, opening into the threaded bore of the base, and a cork or similar material gasket l3 closely encircles the exposed portion of the neck 5 and rests upon the bottom of the groove, substantially filling the space between the neck 5 and the lateral side of the groove l2.

A radial lug I4 is formed on one side of the base intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, and provided at its outer end with a depending detent lip l5.

' The diametrically opposite side of the base 6 is formed with a relatively long radial arm l6 having a flat plane top H and an upwardly and outwardly curved underside l8. Both the lug l4 and the arm l6 can be of generally rectangular cross section.

Adjacent to 'its outer end the arm I6 is provided with a vertical pivot hole l9 for accommodating the pivot 8 by means of which the cap 1 is operatively mounted on the base 6.

The cap 1 comprises a fiat spring metal arm comprising the central substantially circular flat disk 2|, from one edge of which radiates the relatively narrow parallel sided tensioning arm 22 which has a hole 22' near its outer end for receiving the pivot 8, the latter being riveted on its lower end against the underside of the arm I6 and on its upper end against the upper side of the arm 22. The tensioning arm 22 curves radially inwardly and upwardly to the point where it joins the disk 2!, the curvature of the arm 22 bethe arm 22, from its position alongside of the base 6 to a level at which the cap I can be swung into a position above and in axial alignment with the base and released so that the arm 22 can press the cap 1 into closed position.

Secured to the underside of the disk 2| is a substantially circular inverted cup-shaped stopper 23 of suitable metallic or non-metallic material whose axial recess 24 is arranged to fit over the exposed upper part of the discharge neck 5, with a cork or similar material gasket 25 for engaging and providing an air and mois ture proof seal for the upper end ill of the neck. The lower end of the stopper 23 is externally grooved to define a shoulder 26 for engaging the upper end ll of the base 6, and a depending annular skirt 2'! arranged to enter the space between the outer wall of the groove 12 and the neck and seat upon the gasket l3, thereby providing an additional air and moisture proof seal for protecting the contents of the container and preventing leakage thereof when the cap I is in closed position.

For positively locking the cap I and further tensioning it in the closed position, shown in Figure 3, a second relatively narrow parallel sided spring arm 28 projects radially from the side of the disk 21 opposite the spring arm 22, and constitutes a spring catch for releasable engagement with the detent lug M on the base 5.

The arm 28 comprises the relatively sharply downwardly curved portion 29 terminating at its lower end in the generally J-shaped finger piece 30, which inclines outwardly. The crook portion 31 of the finger piece 30 joins the lower end of the portion 29 in a laterally inwardly projecting bend 32 which is arranged to hook under and behind the depending detent lip l5 on the lug Id. The inward curvature of the portion 29 of the arm 23 and its resultant tension are such that the bend 32 snaps behind the lip- I5- when the' cap 1' moves toward its closed position and securely holds the cap 1 in such position; To release the cap to enable it to be opened, it is necessary to pull or push the finger piece 30 in an upward and outward direction with sufficient force to withdraw the projection 32-from under the detent lug I4.

What is claimed is:

1. In a closure for the discharge mouth in the outer end portion of the neck of a container, said closure including a tubular base surrounding and removably carried by said neck and spaced from said outer end portion, said base having an outer end section, spaced from said outer end portion, an outer end edge, an inwardlyextending shoulder at the base of said outer end section, with said shoulder extending to said neck, whereby an annular, outwardly-opening groove is provided, opening toward the plane of said edge, said groove being defined by the walls of said outer end portion and section and said shoulder, a cap section having an axial recess removably disposed over said edge and mouth and an annular skirt removably disposed in said groove, means pivotally connecting said cap to said base, and means urging said skirt into said groove.

2. In a closure for the discharge mouth in the outer end portion of the neck of a tube for paste, said closure including a tubular base surrounding and removably carried by said neck and spaced from said outer end portion, said base having an outer end section, spaced from said outer endportion, an outer end edge, with said outer end portion extending outwardly of the plane of said edge, an inwardly-extending shoulder at the" base of said outer end section, with said shoulder extending to said neck, whereby an annular, outwardly-opening groove is provided, opening toward the plane of said edge, said groove being defined by the walls of said outer end portion and section: and said shoulder, a capsection having an axial recess removably disposed over said edge and mouth and an annular skirt removably disposed in said groove, means pivotally connecting said cap to said base, and means urging said skirt into said groove.

MERVIN REHRER. EDGAR M. DIETZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 428,343 Lambert May 20, 1890 1,394,288 Dossett Oct. 18, 1921 1,588,675 Gove June 15, 1926 1,642,138 Billings .a. Sept. 13, 1927 1,914,020 Jardine June 13, 1933 1,976,426 Zisch Oct. 9, 1934 1,998,373 Love Apr. 16, 1935 2,037,172 Leifert 1-1 1 Apr 14, 1936 2,287,750 Clayton June 23, 1942 

